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Sevilla boss defends ‘great’ Alberto Moreno

It’s easy to be complimentary of the opposition when you’ve won a game, but Sevilla manager Unai Emery’s post-match comments are a bitter pill for Liverpool fans to swallow.

He picked out former Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno for praise, despite the Spaniard playing a large role in our capitulation.

“Alberto Moreno is playing a great season for Liverpool,” Emery said amid celebrations, reported in the Echo.

“And what I have seen is he is playing at a level that he can go back to the Spanish national team.

“I always see the glass half-full because he has a great offensive ability and I see him as a great offensive player rather than being a poor defender.”

Liverpool signed Moreno from last night’s winners in 2014, but in two full seasons, he’s not yet justified his £12m price-tag.

The 23-year-old headed his clearance to Mariano and then missed a tackle on the bombarding right-back which led to Sevilla’s opener. He also left Kevin Gameiro who should have scored from close-range, and missed four attempted tackles in total in the second-half.

To say his offensive play makes up for his defensive ineptitude is going a bit far, for us. Sometimes it’s handy, but in a final, Liverpool need defenders who defend, first and foremost. Moreno was a liability in the League Cup Final as well, and these two performances surely show Jurgen Klopp we need an upgrade in the summer.

Leicester City youngster Ben Chilwell has been linked (via Daily Star), but we need an established left-back to come in immediately, rather than provide support from the bench.